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Cooper Presents Its Progress to Sustainability in Latest Report

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has summarized its achievements and vision for environmental and community stewardship through the “Responsibility the Cooper Way” report.

This is the seventh year Cooper has published a corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability report.

“Cooper considers corporate social responsibility and sustainability to be an important part of doing business. Publishing this yearly report allows us to detail our progress with initiatives that reduce environmental impact, improve employee health and safety, and support communities,” says Brad Hughes, CEO and president. “We are committed to these efforts and reporting our progress to key stakeholders.”

Highlights from Cooper’s 2018 report include:

Employee health and safety: Cooper continues to promote a zero-injury culture through a “Drive to Zero” global safety campaign, which demonstrates the company’s commitment to continuous improvement toward becoming an injury-free workplace. The Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) in Cooper’s tire manufacturing plants worldwide has improved more than 65% in the last three years, placing the organization at its lowest recordable TRIR rate since tracking this metric.

Sustainable natural rubber: Cooper has signed on as a founding member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR). The GPSNR is a coordinated, universal and standard industry approach that is driving toward solutions to establish and promote sustainable rubber practices. Cooper is among the leaders in the industry who established this important work initiated by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Tire Industry Project (TIP).

Energy optimization: Cooper has developed a global energy program that has consistently completed projects and activities to significantly offset energy use, leading facilities across the globe to make strides in energy optimization efforts and greenhouse gas reduction. At Cooper’s plant in Findlay, Ohio, a combined heat and power system is providing onsite generation of approximately 50% of the plant’s electrical power needs, generating the steam required for plant processes and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Landfill usage: Cooper continues to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills from our manufacturing plants, while increasing the amount of waste that is recycled and reused by other sources. Cooper is recycling approximately 78% of its waste annually.

Tire safety education: Cooper continues to support its signature cause of tire and vehicle safety for teens and young adults through the Tread Wisely program. Hundreds of Cooper employees have volunteered to share this important safety message by taking part in events and speaking directly with young drivers. Since the program’s launch, hundreds of thousands of teens and young adults across the globe have been reached through the Tread Wisely effort.